East Longmeadow's Nick Ahmed has solid year in Single A

Shortstop Nick Ahmed, a member of the Atlanta Braves organization, is a native of East Longmeadow.

By BEN LARSEN

Nick Ahmed has been on winning baseball teams his entire life.

From youth leagues to high school to college.

It should come as no surprise, then, that in his first full season at the professional level, Ahmed helped power his team to a league championship.

Ahmed, a 2008 East Longmeadow High School graduate and 2011 second-round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves, turned in a quality year for the Lynchburg Hillcats, the organization’s advanced Single A affiliate in Virginia. That quality year was punctuated by a Most Valuable Player-winning performance in the Hillcats’ Carolina League Championship Series.

For Ahmed, it’s just part of the progression.

“My goal every day is to continue to learn,” he said. “I’m always working to see what works best for me in every situation. I pick things up here and there and just try to fine tune and improve every single day.”

After three solid years at the University of Connecticut, Ahmed was chosen by the Braves in June 2011. He was placed on the organization’s rookie club in Danville, Va., played well in the short season and went on to play in the instructional league last offseason.

“It’s been great to play well, but I think the team has seen my dedication,” he said. “They see that with every repetition in practice or games, I’m trying to work hard and get better.”

Ahmed’s hard work paid off with a terrific 2012 season. Playing in all 130 regular-season games for Lynchburg, he hit .269 with 136 hits – including 36 doubles – and 49 RBI. Known for his speed and defensive capabilities, Ahmed stole 40 bases.

For his efforts, Ahmed was named to the Carolina League’s Mid-Season and Postseason All-Star Teams. He was also recently named as the shortstop on Atlanta’s Organization All-Star Team.

Combined with the Championship Series’ MVP award, it was quite a year for the former Republican Player of the Year.

“It’s good to be recognized,” Ahmed said. “And it’s fun to be on winning teams. I was just happy to be able to step up when the lights were shining the brightest.”

Most recently, Ahmed was named the No. 10 prospect in the entire Atlanta Braves organization. What’s more is that he’s one of only three infielders on the list.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound shortstop certainly appears to have a chance at success at the Major League level. His strong arm, speed and knack for doing whatever is necessary for his team to win has him on the fast track.

Ahmed is also very durable; in his nearly two-year professional career, he has yet to miss a game.

Currently in Phoenix, Ariz., playing in the Arizona Fall League, Ahmed has two hits and a stolen base in one game.

For now, his goal is simple. He is using every practice, at-bat and ground ball as a chance to improve. He hopes that, with a strong season in the Fall League and a solid Spring Training, he’ll move up to Double A or Triple A. From there, the possibility of seeing time in the majors becomes a bit more realistic.

The ultimate goal, of course, is a bit loftier and likely a byproduct of attaining those short-term goals day in and day out.

Nick Ahmed’s goal is to have a long and successful career in the big leagues. If his first two years of professional baseball are any indication, that goal is very likely to be achieved. And looking at his entire baseball career, there very well might be a bit of winning involved, too